Proverbs 14-15: Couplets of wisdom.

Continuing proverbs: As with the previous chapters, Proverbs 14 continues in recording couples of wisdom that are not necessarily related to each other, but harbor so much meaning and practical application that it would be wise to delve into each one individually further than just reading over the chapter. This chapter has concepts that are a bit more spread out than the previous one, but they range the span of wisdom vs. folly, wisdom in labor, secrets of the heart, wisdom in anger management (v. 17, 29), and even wisdom on a national scale. Many of the proverbs here contain the idea that wisdom brings forth success whereas many of the bad things that happen in life is brought on oneself for his/her foolishness (v. 1, 3, 11,14, 19, 24, 32, 35). Similarly, there is a correlation made between wisdom and following the Lord, and foolishness and despising the command of the Lord (v. 2, 9, 16, 22, 25, 26, 27). Several proverbs talk about the elusiveness of wisdom for the foolish and the ease it comes to the prudent (v. 6, 8, 15, 18). Some concepts of note include: To have success, you have to get your hands dirty (in the sense of you have to buckle down and do something, v. 4, 23); The way that seems right to a man (implying relying on our own thoughts and ideas as opposed to the will of the Lord) leads to destruction (v. 12); verse 35 gives one of the few glimpses we have in the Old Testament of a concept of an afterlife that is different from Sheol; Harboring envy will only destroy yourself (v. 30); and finally, righteous bring a nation up, whereas sin destroys it (v. 34).

Chapter 15

Continuing proverbs: Chapter 15 continues as chapter 14 did, with more proverbs set in couplets that harbor much wisdom in few words. Though these couplets span a wide range of subjects, there are a few concepts that are emphasized in several of the verses. There are different verses here that deal with wisdom in speech, telling us that a soft and wise answer turns away wrath, whereas the mouth of fools lead to destruction (v. 1, 2, 4, 18, 23). There is also an emphasis on listening to wisdom and taking counsel (v. 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 22, 27, 31, 32). There is a blessing of wisdom and curse of folly (v. 6, 10, 21, 24, 30) and an emphasis on the separation between the foolish/wicked and God (v. 8, 9, 26, 29). There are also a few verses that focus on the heart and God’s ability to discern what is within (v. 13, 15, 28). Some concepts of note include: be wise in your speech, for your answer can determine another’s response (v. 1, 4); there are a couple of references to God’s omniscience (v. 3, 11); God does not look favorably on the sacrifice of the wicked, for it is not acceptable to Him (v. 8, 29); success comes though many counselors (v. 22); and finally, humility comes before honor (v. 33).